Zimbabwe they will be hoping for a series win when they host Afghanistan in the second and final Test of the ongoing series. The game is scheduled to be played on Thursday (January 2) at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
After losing the T20I and ODI series, the hosts faced a strong batting display in the first Test. In the first innings, the hosts piled up a mammoth total of 586 runs. Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett scored centuries for the home side.
Afghanistan still managed to get the better of the hosts as they finished their first innings on 699 runs. Captain Hashemtullah Shahidi and Rehmat Shah scored two hundreds and Afsar Zazai scored a century.
In the second innings, Zimbabwe scored 142/4 and the proceedings were finally over. Both the teams are now ready for the second Test, the Zimbabwe Playing XI for the upcoming game.
Zimbabwe Playing 11 vs Afghanistan – 2nd Test, Afghanistan Zimbabwe Tour 2024-25:
Openers: Joylord Gumbie (week), Ben Curran
Joylord Gumbie and Ben Curran are likely to open the Playing 11 for the upcoming Test. Although Gumbie did not impress in the first Test, he is expected to retain his place in the Zimbabwe Playing XI for the second Test.
In the first innings, the home team was bowled out for just 9 runs before 24 runs in the second innings. Unlike Gumbie, his opening partner Ben Curran had a decent performance in the first Test.
After a poor performance in the previous ODI series, the debutant scored a fine fifty in his first Test innings. Curran scored 68 runs in the first innings and followed it up with 41 runs in the second innings.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Dion Myers, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza
Takudzwanashe Kaitano is also set to retain his place in the Playing XI despite not making the most of the batting conditions in the first Test. He scored 46 runs in the first innings before being dismissed for just 5 runs in the second innings.
Shaun Williams batted for the hosts. In the first innings, he top scored for his team by scoring 154 runs. It was his third century in three Tests against Afghanistan. In the second innings too, Williams impressed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 35.
Captain Craig Ervine led from the front in the first Test. Star scored 104 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, he remained unbeaten on 22 and shared a crucial stand with Williams after the hosts were reduced to 88 for 4.
Brian Bennett impressed with both bat and ball in the first Test. The allrounder scored an unbeaten 110 runs in the first innings. With the ball he picked up 5 wickets for 95 runs. He will look to put up another strong show in the second Test.
Dion Myers failed to impress with the bat in the first Test but is likely to retain his place in Zimbabwe’s playing XI. He scored 27 runs in the first innings before scoring 4 in the second innings.
The hosts may make one change to their squad for the upcoming Test. Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza could replace Brandon Mavuta in the Zimbabwe Playing XI for the second Test.
Bowlers: Newman Nyamhuli, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu
The bowling line-up for the upcoming game seems to remain the same. Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu will be the bowlers for Zimbabwe.
